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Introduction
Ah, the holiday season is weighing heavy on your shoulders. The constancy of the clouds is depressing. The kids are cranky. The dog hasn't been walked in days. You have no time to spend on frivolous things like hiking right now. Well, how about a quick hike that the kids and the dog will love that won't take you out of the city limits? Try Ute Valley Park - it has everything you need to toss the stress and wear out the children and pets. Trail Rating
What to Bring Well, ok be realistic. Even a short hike requires a little preparation. Bring the dog's leash, bring drinking water, make sure the kids are warmly layered, and bring your camera. This trail has some very pretty rocks and trees on it. Plus, you needed to get those snapshots to put in the Christmas cards anyway, didn't you? How to Get There Ute Valley park is located on Vindicator Road, just off Rockrimmon. Take the Rockrimmon Exit off Interstate 25 and head west. Rockrimmon winds all around and at the corner of Rockrimmon and Vindicator, turn left. Ute Valley park is just after the middle school on the left.
Trail Specifics Ute Valley park is a multi-use trail, meaning it allows mountain bikers, horses, and hikers on the same trail at the same time. This can make for some interesting surprises, but just pay attention and you will be fine. Deer are often seen bounding through the park. It is for this reason, along with the numerous other dogs that frequent the park, that a leash is required on the dogs.
The trail begins with a small pond, and in the summer, this is a very noisy place with birds and frogs all struggling to maintain their place in the pecking order. Cattails grow on the side of the pond, which makes it very picturesque. Recently, a boardwalk was built over the previously damp and muddy start to the trail.
As you pass the pond and start over the crest, you have choices in the direction you want to take. If you head to the left, you will pass along the plateau and eventually end up down by the middle school. If you head to the right or straight, you will travel along the creek and then end up along the rocky ridge that runs along the park. This is the best path, in my opinion, and children who aren't too small will love doing a little boulder-scrambling to the top of the rocky ridge. The ridge looks like this picture. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Oh, the weather outside is frightful ... in Hiking in Colorado is owned by . Permission to republish Oh, the weather outside is frightful ... in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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